When extreme exhaustion and depression hit suddenly...

[Jenn]

When extreme exhaustion and depression hit suddenly are there things we can do to combat it so we're not down and out for the whole day or week? I'm already on anti-depressants, plaquenil, etodolac, vit. D, and Vit. C. But some days I wake up (today for example) and I'm totally sluggish, my legs feel like dead weight and I can barely stay awake.  I made myself go to church anyway because I love it so much and I spent the day with my 5 year old because I refused to let this thing win but I struggled so hard through it all. Even sitting in church, I wanted so bad to lay down on the floor and fall asleep. And I kept waiting for the prayer moments to give me an excuse to close my eyes for a few minutes (isn't that awful?)

Any advice?

[ohiolady]

Jenn,

I have days like that myself and I just try to rest as much as possible and hope that it passes the next day.  I'm not sure how much we can do besides healthy eating, light exercise and rest.

You are not alone.

Anna

[Joe S.]

Jenn, to me, it sounds like something else may be going on. Another DR visit may be in order. Are you having trouble sleeping at night? There may be related issues. Are there anxiety issues with the depression? Have you brought these up.

Make a list of the challenges that you face each day and bring that with you to the doctors office. Bring an advocate with you when you see the doctor.

Take care of yourself and be kind to yourself.

[deeindiana]

I echo ohiolady's words, "You are not alone."  I get days like that too. Then I worry, 'Could this be something other than SS?' or 'Is my SS getting worse?'  
Kudos to you for pushing thru the exhaustion to do gentle things that you love. Be kind to yourself.
Deb

[irish]

Sometimes when we wake up feeling like this we are getting sick with something, maybe an infection or a cold or maybe a flare. Depression follows along with the increase in illness. It really is the pits when this happens. Sometimes, it helps to just give in and rest and sleep.

If one doesn't improve after a certain number of days a visit to the doctor should maybe be considered. Hopefully, this doesn't happen much cause it can ruin a week for us really easy. Irish

[DryEyes]

  Ditto   to all of the above.   I just take a day or two just to rest and sleep as I need. 

[Maria3667]

Hi Jenn,

When this happens to me it usually means flu is looming on the horizon...

I find taking a zinc tablet & some Vit. C in these cases helps me beat the bugs quicker. Mind you, it has to be a zinc lozenges, not the other ones.

Good to see you keep fighting this disease & enjoying good moments.

Take Care,
Maria

[lizzi]

  hi jenn,

          i feel like this everyday hun,my rheumy thinks its chronic fatigue syndrome,just another thing to add to my ever growing list ,can you get an appointment with your gp or rheumy this week just so u can explain all whats going on and see if anything can be done to help you xx

[BonusMom]

I've been battling the same issues for a few weeks, but haven't developed the flu.  As much as I've resisted, I think it's time to see the GP for the big guns....anti-depressants.

I have tried so hard to stay off those darn things.  I don't want to gain weight.  That's depressing in itself.  But, when everything sends you off in to fits of crying spells and there is no joy, something has to be done.

My prior GP said the next step was a psychologist as we'd exhausted every med singularly and it was time for a cocktail.  It's looking like it's going to get worse before it gets better and I dread that.

[warmwaters]

For me, there are just days when I can't do. It's not a matter of will power, the body is just so exhausted it can't go.  There are other times when it's a mix of emotional intertia,and being tired.

You probably need listen to your body, and figure out when trying to do something will be worth the trying, and when you need take a rest. No easy answers, I'm sorry to say.

As someone else said, you are not alone.

[Joe S.]

Jenn how are you doing? I have not seen a response from you.

[irish]

Bonus mom, Not all antidepressants cause weight gain. Maybe a better way to put this is that one doesn't always gain weight when taking antidepressants. We are all different.

I have been taking antidepressants for 20 years and have gained and lost weight over this time. Age and activity also have a way of catching up with us. Good luck in your qwest. Irish

[Jenn]

Thank you everyone for all of your responses! As the evening wore on my energy level came back and I had the hardest time sleeping last night. It's like my mind just would not stop! An all night conversation on so many subjects in my head! Today I woke up feeling fine though pain in various places. This auto-immune stuff sure is interesting.

The anti-depressant that I'm on has not caused weight gain in me. So I agree not all of them cause weight gain. I've thought about increasing the dose but when I've tried that I've been way too exhausted to deal with it. So I go back to the original dose.

You're right about needing to listen to my body. The more I read your responses I knew I should have just taken a nap yesterday. Trouble is I don't feel my family is very understanding of that. As much as they love me I think it's an automatic thing for hubby and kids to just expect mom to keep on going like the energy rabbit.

The depression I've been feeling is a deep angst filled with anger toward my mother. This is a whole other topic which I will post on here eventually because I'm realizing this may be a great place for the support I need about it and a safe place for me to vent the minute I need to. She also has auto-immune disease and psychological issues and so my being sick has become an exciting thing for her because now she has a buddy to share stories with.  This relationship is so messed up and so deeply painful for me it will literally take a huge post to talk about it. She is living with us now because her irresponsible financial decisions have put her in a bad way but she is now totally taking me for granted. It's a mess. So I know this has a lot to do with a lot of what I'm feeling (physically and emotionally). Sometimes I get so angry that it depresses me because I feel trapped.

I wonder if I need to change my anti-depressant!

[warmwaters]

About your relationship with your mother... If you have a chance to work with a therapist, it might help some. If you don't feel like sharing the whole story with the the forum, you might PM (private message) to some if you would like. 

Best thoughts to you. It's weird how this kind of thing exposes all sorts of family issues. My mom grew up in a family with a lot of issues, so she's in the "everything will work out" mode. Always asks how my doctors' appointments went, in the hopes that the doctor will prescribe the magic thing that will make everything just fine. She hates to hear that I took a med that didn't work. Or that I'm having a bad day.

You'll learn the weird rhythms of what your body is telling you. They won't always be predictable, but you will get the hang of it.

Best thoughts...

[mink]

Jenn honey,  I commend you for being such a great mom and trying hard as it may be to spend all the time you can with your 5 year old. i too feel at most times that i can't even get myself out of bed,
let alone pull myself together to get dressed and go out ....and depression is probably very consuming when your not feeling up to par .
AS for your mom...that's a very sticky situation seeing she's living with u and all so forget about hitting close to home ....She is in your home and that must be tough enough as it is! I always felt that as much as we love and care for our parents it is always difficult to live with and adjust your lives all over again to live with them after you're used to having your own life.  But on the other hand i lost my mom 9yrs  ago (RIP) and she left me without knowing about my disease ....so if I could once again have her in my life I would beg her to come live with me, cause I miss her so darn much.
Have you tried going somewhere where the both of you can be alone for a bit and talk things thru? Is this an option? And you are definetly more than welcome to come here and vent all you want! That's what we r here for . Best of luck with every thing and Happy Holidays